Primary Total Laryngectomy for Endolaryngeal cT3‐4M0 Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A STROBE Analysis

Abstract

ObjectivesTo document 10‐year oncologic outcome of primary total laryngectomy (TL) for patients with cT3‐4M0 endolaryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).Study DesignObservational inception cohort of 531 patients with isolated untreated endolaryngeal cT3‐4M0 SCC review over 40 years using STROBE guideline. 94% of patients were followed until death or for a minimum of 10 years.SettingAcademic tertiary referral care center.MethodsAll patients underwent primary TL. Prior tracheotomy, induction chemotherapy, thyroid gland resection, level II‐IV neck dissection, level VI dissection, and postoperative radiation therapy were associated in 6%, 40%, 43%, 89%, 47%, and 74% of cases, respectively: The main objective was to determine the 10‐year actuarial local control estimate. Accessory objectives comprised screening for clinical variables increasing the risk of local recurrence, and analysis of long‐term oncologic consequences of local recurrence.ResultsThe 10‐year actuarial local control estimate was 89.7%. Local recurrence was salvaged in 11% of cases, resulting in 92% overall local control. On multivariate analysis, none of the study variables correlated with local recurrence. Local recurrence resulted in significantly reduced nodal control, distant metastasis control, and survival. Postoperative complications, persistent index SCC, intercurrent disease, and metachronous second primary cancer accounted for respectively 3%, 37%, 33%, and 28% of the 334 deaths noted during the 10 years following TL.ConclusionThe present study underscored the long‐term oncologic efficacy of primary TL, the dangers of local recurrence, the key role of local control for survival, and the importance of a long‐term oncologic watch policy.Level of Evidence3 Laryngoscope, 2023